Sign with changeable panel



Jan. 10,1933. A, S LOM 1,893,567

SIGN WITH CHANGEABLE PANEL Filed Jan. 30, 1952 F/Gl 'F/Qa 7 ENVENTOR ALBERT 'SQLQMITA -BY His ATTQRNEYW Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES ALBERT SOLOMITA, OF BROOKLYN, NEE? YGREE SIGN VIITH CHANGEABLE PANEL Application filed January 30, 1932. Serial N'o. 533,793.

This invention relates to signs and in particular to one in which the letters or numerals may be changed without materially altering the sign construction.

A particular object of my invention is to provide in a sign having opposite faces, means particularly adapted for the changing of the price of gasoline, for instance, as dispensed by gas stations in which the price fluctuates and makes necessary the changing of signs frequently.

An important object of my invention is to provide a sign having a solid panel, the op posite faces of which are lettered with the essential features of the sign and are arranged to have secured thereto, auxiliary panels, upon which is displayed the price of the gasoline, per gallon, means being provided on the opposite faces of the'main panel for supporting the auxiliary panels in place so that they may be quickly replaced.

A further object of my invention is to provide a single means for supporting the auxil iary panels on the opposite faces of the main panel, the auxiliary panels being lettered on both sides so that a minimum number thereof may be used to obtain the full range of price fluctuation.

Changes and variations may bemade in the construction shown and described without departing from the principles of the invention or sacrificing its chief advantages; hence such invention is not to he confined to the structures shown in the accompanying the auxiliary panels in place upon the main panel.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 5 indicates side pieces of a frame which are connected by the top and bottom pieces 6 and 7 respectively to form a rectangle in which is supported the main panel 8. This panel is preferably made of thin ri id metal suitably painted and having lettered onthe face thereof a sign, such, for instance, as the Word gasoline and a cents sign. T.l18 frame may be mounted for support from the ground or it may lie-suspended from a bracket, it being immaterial to my invention in which manner the frame is suspended or supported. L

F or the purpose of illustration, the sides 5 are extended as at9 and are dovetailed into the ground engaging member 10 to which they are secured throu h the medium of the screws 11 and further cennected by the braces 3 12 for supporting the signrigidly and preventing its overturnlng accldentally. The panel 8 is supported nitermediate the edges of the frame and secured in position thereln through the medium of the quarter round molding strips 13 and let, one being disposed at each of the opposite sides of the panel 8 and extending entirely around the frame. This molding is secured in place first at one side of the frame as by the nails 15, after which the panel 8 is positioned and the opposite molding piece secured in place by the nails 15, thus preventing any movement of the panel 8 and holding it in such position that the panel itself prevents any distortion of the frame should the sign be accidentally tipped over.

In Figure 1, l have illustrated the use of two auxiliary panels 16 and 17, the latter of which is smaller than the panel 16 and is ar- 753 ranged to have printed thereon, a numeral 18 designating a decimal or fractional part of a price while the panel 16 is provided with a numeral 19 designating the full price, for instance, of a gallon or gasoline. Inasmuch as both the panels 16 and 17 are identical in construction and are supported in the same manner on the main panel 8, it is believed that a description of one will suffice and to this-end, attention is directed to Figure 3 in n k4 u which, as illustrated, panel 8 is provided with an upper opening 20 through which passes the threaded stud 21 passing also through the opening 22 formed in the upper end, or adjacent the upper edge of the panel 16. \Vhen the stud 21 has been passed through the opening in the panels, the wing nuts 23 are threaded thereon to retain the auxiliary panels in place securely against the main panel 8. In order that the auxiliary panels may be supported in place at their lower edges, use is made of the corner pieces 24 which, through the medium of the stud bolt 25 passing through suitable openings in the panel 8 and corner pieces, are secured flat against the main panel 8 by the tightening of the nut 26, it being understood that the corner pieces are positioned at the opposite side of the panel 8 to support the auxiliary panel 16 that is positioned at the opposite side of the plate. The auxiliary panel 17 however at the reverse side of the main panel 8 from that illustrated in Figure 1, must be placed opposite the rectangle 27 illustrated on the main panel 8 in Figure l, and the bolts 25 and nut 26 at the side of the panel illustrated in Figure 1, are evident but no sign is supported but the same is supported at the opposite side of the sign and at the opposite side of the sign no auxiliary panel 17 is disposed opposite the one illustrated in Figure 1, this being evident as the sign must be read from left to right, as the result of which, the auxiliary panel 16 is always positioned in the center with the other aux iliary panel 17 at the right side thereof.

The corner pieces 24 are provided with the bolt opening 28 in an edge flange 29, the extended corner pieces 30 thereof being arranged to provide a pocket for the corner of the auxiliary panel 16 as shown in Figure 4.

t is quite evident, therefore that in view of the fact that the panels 16 are removable, they may be painted on opposite sides with different numerals so that they can be re versed and thus dispense with the necessity of using a single panel for each numeral. this being also true of the smaller panel 17 while the main panel 8 need never be changed in its wording. The sign may be decorated in various designs, if desired and the use of the panels enhances the appearance of the sign and is simple in construction, can be sold at small cost and used indefinitely.

Also, through the use of the quarter round molding, the panel 8 is positioned in place without the necessity of using other fastening means and rigidly maintained within the frame. It is particularly noted that a single stud is used to support from the top the auxiliary panel and the use of the wing nuts at the opposite ends of the studs makes possible quick change of the auxiliary panel which is an important feature where a number of signs are used at gas stations and have to be changed frequently, as the simplicity of construction of my sign eliminates a good deal of the wasting of time that would be taken by an attendant changing signs that were permanently printed and would eliminate the cost of having such signs changed to conform to a fluctuation in price of the commodity.

lVhile I have illustrated my sign in connection with gasoline and indicate-d its use particularly in connection with filling stations, it is to be understood that it may be used in any connection to which it is adapted.

My invention is not to be restricted to the precise details of construction shown since various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing the advantages derived from its use.

What I claim is 1. A sign comprising a frame, a main panel in the frame, auxiliary panels positioned against opposite sides of said main panel, a stud passing through said main panel and auxiliary panels for holding the latter in position, and support pieces engaging the lower edges of the auxiliary panels for sustaining the same in position against the main panel.

2. A sign comprising a frame, a main sign bearing panel, auxiliary panels positioned against the opposite faces of the main panel and bearing legends for completing the main sign, a single member passing through said auxiliary panels and the main panel for supporting the auxiliary panels in place on the main panel, and holding means on the memher for engaging each of the auxiliary panels to forcibly retain the same against said main panel, and means at the lower edge of said auxiliary panels for further supporting the same.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALBERT SOLOMITA'. L s.] 

